G.—No. 3,

18

REPORT OE COMMISSIONERS UPON MATTERS

of a part of the saloon being occupied by emigrants. I perceived a great amount of confusion on board and did not consider the ship in a fit state to receive emigrants. All I have had to complain of was put to rights shortly after the vessel, sailed. I did not consider the foreign emigrants in a good state of health, especially the children, —as if they had not received proper nourishment. They are greatly improved now. On 28th December, by reference to my diary, I first became aware of sickness, at the time of a child, dying, when I found measles on board. I never during the voyage heard it supposed to be small-pox, nor till the Board of Health came alongside. Never heard the captain consult the doctor as to the disease. It was a common subject of discussion on board, in which I joined, as to the nature of the disease, on account of its very serious symptoms. I have no doubt, if it had been known to be smallpox, much greater precautions would have been taken by the captain and others. In assisting the captain in attending the sick, I for some weeks, from about the middle of January, had frequent Opportunity of knowing the state of the 'tween decks. As regards dryness and cleanness, I believed the ship in a good state, but the emigrants themselves very dirty—a very unpleasant smell, so bad that I do not wish to meet the same again—it often reached the poop-cabin, and was so bad that I was obliged to go on deck. Ido not know what the smell came from, and it continued during the whole voyage, more or less. The light of the 'tween decks I consider quite sufficient. The ventilation was as sufficient as possible —as circumstances permitted of; my visit was after the opening of the main hatch by the captain. I observed the place called the hospital; it was never used to my knowledge, and quite unfit for such a purpose, on account of being deficient in light and ventilation, through being surrounded by cargo. I recognize rough sketch marked B as a correct plan of 'tween decks, where emigrants were lodged. I was present when the emigrants had a conversation with the captain as to the conduct of the doctor; there were three or four spokesmen, among whom were Brand, McDonald, Burness, and the interpreter Swanson for the foreign emigrants. They said they would not allow the doctor to come 'tween decks any more, on account of his neglect of them generally. They made specific charges, but I clo not remember what they were. I considered the surgeon neglectful of his duties, but attributed this to his ill health and mental incapacity at the time. I have frequently seen him in epileptic fits, and they leave him weak and enervated. I have never observed the doctor otherwise than perfectly sober, and my opinion is that any neglect on his part, was owing to his state of health. The conduct of the captain and officers I consider to have been very good, and they did everything they possibly could under the circumstances to alleviate them. I believe from some communication of the foreign emigrants themselves, that the disease was a common one in their own country. The children were, I should fancy, (some of them,) scorbutic and subject to boils. The spread of the disease created a great amount of alarm. I have heard what Captain Harrington has said as to the symptoms of the disease, and I concur in his description in every respect of its various forms, but would be inclined to describe the pustules, in the mild cases that came under my immediate notice, as being larger and containing more fluid matter than what I inferred from Captain Harrington's description.

Thtjesday, 18th April, 1872. Geoege McDonald, being sworn, saith as follows : — I with my wife and child were passengers by the ship " England," and joined at the East India Docks. I was a steerage passenger. I was accompanied on the voyage by my brother-in-law Burness, wife and four children. They came from Aberdeen ; I met them in London. I arrived in London four days before the vessel sailed. There had been no sickness in that part of Edinburgh where I resided previous to my leaving. Went on board, but had to leave during the first night on account of cold through the main hatch being open. Mr. Burness's family and mine were in perfect health when we went on board. We remained on shore until the vessel sailed. I am not aware of any sickness where we lodged in London. When we rejoined tho ship before sailing, she was in better order. Self, wife, and child had one bunk allotted to us, which we occupied until my wife was confined, when the bunk above, until then occupied by John Wellington and wife, was removed, and they were put into another bunk which_ had, until then, been filled with our provisions. Plan of the ship laid before me, marked " B," correctly shows the accommodation between decks, and arrangements. Position of hospital is correct. I first saw the foreign emigrants on the Monday before ship sailed ; they appeared very dirty; there was hooping cough among them. About two or three days after we sailed, I saw one of the foreign emigrants with his face covered with scab. I do not know his name, but he occupied one of the bunks immediately on the port side of the main hatch. He used to lie in his bunk, from which I judged he was sick. These scabs were the subject of remark among others. I remember the storekeeper remarking them. I remember the vessel being inspected at Gravesend. I was called with the other passengers on deck. We walked past several persons on deck, but they asked me no questions. I understood at the time the persons I refer to were the Government Inspectors. I heard them ask the Burnesses and several others if they were well. I also saw the same gentlemen below examining tho deck. At the time, it was generally remarked in my hearing that there was a man below who was not inspected with us. It was said he was tried to be put up for inspection by the sailors. The 'tween decks was generally very damp throughout the voyage. There was a bad smell which might have been from the passengers. Tuesdays and Fridays were the scrubbing days; this was seen to by the first mate. Deck was scraped and swept every morning so far as I recollect. The slops were always removed morning and evening, and more frequently when children were sick. I overheard, when at Gravesend, from the Scandinavians that there was "measley " and " kinkhost " on board. I feel sure they w rere talking about these complaints, but did not know if measles were actually on board, but was certain as to hooping-cough, as we could hear it. I saw Dr. Leigh, who is now present, on board before the ship sailed. I do not recollect his visiting the passengers. Ido not remember seeing him 'tween decks before inspection took place at